1
as in adjusting
to change (something) so as to make it suitable for a new use or situation
a dress shaped to the customer's particular figure
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in planning
to work out the details of (something) in advance
over the winter the committee shaped the company's new marketing strategy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of shaping
Poland can move from navigating the liabilities of geography to shaping the norms and infrastructure beyond Earth.
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Alexander Görlach, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2026
Moore, who was honored with WWD's Fashion Icon award at the ceremony, posed with her long-time stylist and friend, Brad Goreski, who has played a major role in shaping her sartorial identity for the past two decades.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 10 Jan. 2026
This aesthetic — symbolizing order, leisure and status — spread across continents and centuries, shaping how residential outdoor spaces are designed and maintained today.
—Hummingbird, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
From impressively shaping Prettygarden Palazzo Pants to ultra-stretchy Skechers Go Walk Mid-rise Pants, both under $30, these travel pants will keep you comfortable and looking effortlessly put together the entire journey.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Brown will be in charge of shaping Boise State’s next group of defensive backs after the departures of Jeremiah Earby, A’Marion McCoy and Davon Banks — whom Brown coached at Washington.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026
But some city-by-city data – about income and insurance – suggest that the same inequities shaping lifespans around the country also exist in Orange County.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 9 Jan. 2026
Autoliv says the collaboration underscores how safety suppliers are expanding their role in shaping vehicle interiors for an autonomous future, where hardware must adapt as seamlessly as the software controlling the car.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Jan. 2026
Even opposition figures, such as the Nobel laureate María Corina Machado, have been excluded from shaping what comes next, revealing the limits of a genuine political transformation.
—Sanam Vakil, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shaping
Verb
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Despite adjusting the practice structure, simplifying the call sheets, and even moving Whitt to the sideline, the Commanders found no solutions.—
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The team focused on modifying the electrode surface rather than repeatedly adjusting electrolyte formulations.—
Verb
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While the first missions to space would not occur for several years, scientists began planning on how humans could reach orbit, fly to the Moon, and beyond.—
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Whether we’re headed to the gym, lounging at home, or planning your next trips, Lululemon is our go-to destination for a workout wardrobe that doubles as casual and travel wear.—
Verb
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Artist and writer Kevin Mellon is adapting the graphic novel from the feature script written by Peykoff and the Neese Brothers, who are known as co-executive producers of The Umbrella Academy.—
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The book has recently been reissued at what feels like a propitious moment, when modern treatments of Greek myth proliferate, many of them adapting stories about destiny and order for a chaotic and individualistic time.—
Verb
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The Packers are preparing for a wild-card game Saturday night in Chicago.—
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Listen to Glaser discuss preparing to host the 2026 Golden Globes on Ripa's podcast episode above.—
Verb
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On his Stranger Things season five press tour, actor Caleb McLaughlin truly came into his own this year, taking a fun, distinctive approach to tailoring and suiting up.—
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Hale thinks wearables could play an important role in helping people with difficult-to-treat chronic illnesses manage their symptoms, but that requires further tailoring Oura’s apps and readings for individual needs.—
Verb
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Craig had to have his key staff lined up by May 1, some 5,000 library books ordered by July 1, not to mention getting a faculty for 500 students, designing a curriculum, selecting and ordering texts, even down to designing application forms, catalogs, etc.—
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Majestic Labs is designing an AI system for inference with 128 terabytes of memory, or about 100 times more memory than some current AI systems, Rabii said, adding that the company plans to eschew HBM memory for lower-cost options.—
Verb
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Lance Strait is one of hundreds of people whose car was damaged after putting gas at a King Soopers gas station in Parker earlier this week.—
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Or, Allen could solidify his elite status by putting the team on his back much the same way that Jags fan did with Lawrence at a bar.—
Verb
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Want more cleaning and organizing tips?—
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There is so much energy in Falk’s writing that the reader can feel tensions in the city as officials, some working secretly with the bosses, try to stop the cigar factory women from organizing, call them Communists and demean them for being Polish.—
Cite this Entry
“Shaping.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shaping. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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